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Man arrested after TSA stops him from bringing a loaded handgun onto an airplane at Newark Liberty International Airport

TSA nabs first gun of the year at Newark just two weeks into January

Local Press Release

Thursday, January 16, 2020

TSA officers at Newark Liberty International Airport detected this handgun in a traveler’s carry-on bag on Jan. 15. (TSA photo)

NEWARK, N.J. – An Alabama man became the first individual caught by the Transportation Security Administration with a firearm at a Newark Liberty International Airport checkpoint this year. He was stopped with a .22 caliber handgun in his carry-on bag at a security checkpoint in Terminal B yesterday, Jan. 15. Last year, 11 guns were caught at the airport’s checkpoints.

TSA officers caught the handgun as it entered the checkpoint X-ray machine. Port Authority Police were contacted, confiscated the gun and arrested the man on weapons charges.

Firearms Caught at Newark Liberty International Airport

2017

2018

2019

2020

(as of 1-15-20)

6

14

11

1

Passengers are permitted to travel with firearms in checked baggage if they are properly packaged and declared. Firearms must be unloaded, packed in a hard-sided case, locked, and packed separately from ammunition. Firearm possession laws vary by state and locality.

Nationwide last year, 4,432 firearms were discovered in carry-on bags at checkpoints across the country, averaging about 12.1 firearms per day, approximately a 5% increase nationally in firearm discoveries from the total of 4,239 detected in 2018. Eighty-seven percent of firearms detected at checkpoints last year were loaded.

As a reminder, individuals who bring firearms to the checkpoint are subject to possible criminal charges from law enforcement. Even travelers with concealed firearm permits are not allowed to bring guns onto airplanes in their carry-on bags. If an individual is a TSA Pre✓® member, that person could even lose TSA Pre✓® status. In addition, TSA has the authority to assess civil penalties of up to $13,333 for weapons violations. A typical first offense for carrying a handgun into a checkpoint is $4,100. The complete list of penalties is posted online.

TSA has details on how to properly travel with a firearm posted on its website. Travelers should also contact their airline as they may have additional requirements for traveling with firearms and ammunition.

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